Chapter 5 - The Glass Symphony
At 2:00 AM, the storm outside reached its peak, knocking out the primary power line along the Cape Point peninsula.
The manor’s emergency generators kicked in instantly with a low, vibrating hum, switching the security lighting to dim red emergency corridors.
In his study, Vincent sat in total darkness, illuminated only by the red glow of his phone screen displaying camera 4—the east nursery.
Clara was sitting beside Matteo’s bed. She hadn't gone to her own quarters in the servant wing.
On the screen, Matteo was awake, his small frame trembling under his blankets as thunder rattled the heavy window frames.
Clara was holding a small silver music box, turning the crank slowly. The faint, delicate melody of a lullaby drifted through the camera's audio pickup, competing with the howling wind outside.
"It's just the sky complaining, Matty," Clara’s voice came through the speaker. "The clouds are heavy, so they’re making noise to feel light again. You know about heavy things, don't you?"
Matteo turned his head slowly on his pillow. His large dark eyes—identical to his father’s—were fixed on Clara's face.
"Your father carries a mountain on his back," Clara murmured softly, stroking the boy's forehead. "He thinks if he stops looking angry, the mountain will fall and crush everyone. But carrying mountains doesn't make you strong, Matty. It just makes you tired."
In the study, Vincent watched her every movement. His fingers gripped the edges of his desk.
She knows who I am, Vincent thought. She knows what I carry. Is this a game to lower my guard?
On the screen, Clara set the music box down on the nightstand. She reached into her pocket, pulled out a small glass vial, and set it beside the lamp.
Vincent froze.
His eyes locked onto the vial. It contained a clear, colorless liquid.
"Luca!" Vincent shouted into his radio comms, standing up so fast his chair crashed against the floorboards. "East wing, NOW! She’s got a chemical on the nightstand!"
Vincent sprinted out of the study, drawing his custom 9mm pistol from his shoulder holster as he raced down the red-lit hallway.
He reached the nursery doors in eight seconds.
BANG!
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Vincent kicked the heavy oak door open, the heavy lock snapping from the frame as he burst into the room with his weapon raised and aimed straight at Clara’s chest.
"DON'T MOVE!" Vincent roared, his voice shaking the glass panes of the windows.
